Month: September 2015

Whether you require replacements for many teeth or a single tooth, dentures have long been the most trusted dental solution. Patients of Old Milton Dental, in Alpharetta, have an impressive range of dental dentures to choose from, and may even discuss a combination of treatments to include dental implants along with dentures as well.

Learn About Dental Dentures

For many decades, people all around the world have relied on a dental denture when they have lost adult teeth to disease, decay, illness or injury. Available as full dentures (meaning they replace all of the teeth in the upper or the lower arches) or as partials, meaning they replace just a few missing teeth in the same arch, a denture provides many benefits.

For example, the patient with full dental dentures will be able to enjoy a wider array of dietary options, will retain the original and natural appearance of their face and jaw area, and will not unevenly wear or even break remaining teeth. When we lose even a single adult tooth it can cause a chain reaction of events. We might experience shifting of remaining teeth, which can lead to a misalignment in the bite, and this can cause wear, cracks, and problems with the jaw.

If we lose all of the teeth in one arch, it can cause bite problems, jaw problems, and it will greatly change the look of the face. A dentures is a wonderful solution to all of these issues, but they must be made for you by a skilled dentist.

Denture and Other Options

Your denture need to fit tightly and comfortably if they are to uphold your quality of life. If you find that over time, your gum tissue has changed (this is common), that your denture does not fit properly or feel uncomfortable, or that they seem to have stained or worn unevenly over time, you will want to book a consultation with your dentist to discuss the options.

At Old Milton Dental, we make partials and full dentures available, and we have experts in dental implants who can discuss options for the latest in fixed dentures that will rely on the implant for the most stable denture experience available. Why not book a consultation about a dental denture today and discover if all of your dental needs are being met.

When you hear the word crown you might picture the ring worn on the head of a royal, but dental crowns can be better described as helmets rather than crowns. After all, they are fitted over the remainder of a natural tooth, offering it complete protection from any further injury, decay or harm. Patients of Old Milton Dental in Alpharetta, GA can turn to dental crowns for many different dental issues.

When Are Dental Crowns Recommended?

There are a lot of reasons that a patient may hear from their dentist that a dental crown is the right solution. The following issues may lead to the use of dental crowns:

Overly large fillings being replaced or created may benefit from dental crowns instead

Clearly, a crown is going to reinforce and protect, but also provide many years of function. They are usually made of durable porcelain and crafted to look entirely natural, which is why they are a common cosmetic treatment too. However, they may also be made of other materials, and this is an issue to discuss with your dentist when you are preparing to have crowns placed in your mouth.

Though you may be having nothing more than a dental filling, a crown may be part of the treatment because too much of the tooth has to be removed to eliminate decay or because the area removed has weakened the strength of the tooth.

Keep in mind that crowns are made specifically for the patient. That means your crowns are matched to your natural teeth and custom made to look just like the original tooth. The crown fits perfectly within the original space, is set to allow the natural bite, and to function just as a natural tooth would function. This is why it is important to work only with a dentist experienced with dental crowns.

Are Dental Crowns Difficult to Maintain?

Natural teeth and dental crowns generally receive the same treatment. You will want to have an annual cleaning (though twice yearly is best) and checkup, and allow your dentist to examine the crown for any signs of trouble. Other than that, regular flossing and brushing will suffice.

Many of us know that healthy teeth and gums ensure a better quality of life. With good teeth and gums, we can eat a diverse diet, speak more clearly, and just feel better in general – especially when we smile. However, the importance of our teeth and gums goes even farther than that, and this is why implant dentistry has become such an important area of modern dentistry. It is also why Old Milton Dental in Alpharetta, Georgia makes dental implants available.

What Are Dental Implants?

The human tooth is made of two different regions – the roots and the crown. The crown is what does the chewing and what we take care of each day when we brush and floss the teeth. The roots are tucked into the soft, gum tissue and hold the tooth firmly in place. They attach to the jawbone and have blood vessels and nerves, which is why we experience pain if a tooth is damaged or is undergoing some sort of decay or infection.

When we are forced to lose an adult tooth, the crown and roots are removed, leaving a space behind. This allows the remaining teeth to shift a bit, and this can cause everything from chipped teeth and uneven bite to neck and jaw pain. The loss of the tooth also causes the bone of the jaw to atrophy and even weaken, putting the health of nearby teeth and gums at risk.

Dental implants come to the rescue by using the same two-part design as natural teeth. An anchor (usually made of titanium) is inserted into the jaw. It “osseointegrates” or bonds with the bone and helps it to remain healthy while also providing a very solid base for the new “crown”.

How Is It Done?

Your dentist will perform implant dentistry in two stages – the first is to insert the anchor and wait for it to bond to the jaw. This takes around three months, or more. Then a new crown or bridge (or in some cases dentures) are mounted to the firmly set anchor. You can then use this just as you did the natural tooth, getting cleanings once or twice per year, regular checkups, and letting the dentist know of any problems or changes.

Dental implants and implant dentistry are wonderful for restorative treatments, but also ideal for cosmetic needs too. If you have lost a permanent tooth, you will want to speak with your dentist and discuss implants as a wonderfully comfortable, safe, and long-term solution.

Chances are, you have seen someone with a gorgeous smile and wondered how you too can have such a flawless grin. However, it is also likely that many of the people whose smiles you have noticed also have porcelain veneers. These are an amazingly effective method for getting a picture-perfect smile, addressing many esthetic or cosmetic issues with the teeth and gums, and a service available to patients of Old Milton Dental in Alpharetta, GA.

What Are Porcelain Veneers?

Thin, custom made shells that are crafted of durable porcelain, dental veneers are created to bond to the teeth and give the appearance of a straight, brilliant, and supremely healthy smile. When done by a skilled and experienced dentist, porcelain veneers look and feel natural, improve the appearance of the teeth and gums, and function identically to your original teeth.

Are Veneers a Good Solution for Me?

You may wonder if you are a good candidate for dental veneers, and generally they are recommended to patients of Old Milton Dental who have any of the following concerns:

Stained teeth that cannot be successfully whitened

Chipped, cracked, or damaged teeth

Unevenly spaced or gapped teeth that are not appropriate for orthodontic care

Teeth that are poorly aligned or oddly shaped

The best way to determine if dental veneers are a good answer for you is to book a visit with us and discuss your concerns. Your dentist will do an examination and discuss the different options, including porcelain veneers.

If they are the best route, impressions are made and custom created in a special dental lab. When they arrive, your teeth will be prepared for the veneers, which may include gently removing some of the outermost enamel. The veneers are then bonded to your teeth and you leave the office with a perfect and bright smile.

Strong and impervious to staining, your new porcelain veneers will require the same sort of upkeep as your natural teeth. Annual or bi-annual cleanings are always suggested, and during each visit your dentist will make sure that any dental veneers are secure, remaining in good condition, and still providing you with comfortable performance.

Though not an instant smile makeover, veneers are a wonderfully reliable way to get the best smile possible. With the most natural appearance, veneers can help you overcome a long list of cosmetic dental concerns without any difficulties. Contact us today to schedule a consultation!

A healthy smile is wonderful, but unfortunately, even a perfectly healthy smile may not be as bright and shining as we would like. Sadly, some cosmetic issues like discoloration and staining can cause us to feel self-conscious about a perfectly healthy grin. And, there is a surprisingly long list of issues that can lead to discolored teeth, including:

Dark drinks like colas, coffee, tea and wine

Tobacco use

Certain medications

Damage or decay of the teeth

Oral hygiene issues

Age

Any of these issues can lead to teeth stains that force you to hide your smile, but fortunately, patients of Old Milton Dental in Alpharetta, GA can have professional teeth whitening that delivers impressive results.

Premium Teeth Whitening Treatments

Whether you have had previous experience with teeth whitening treatments, most patients are astonished by the results from the KOR whitening system used in our office. A scientifically designed, advanced treatment that relies on a patented gel and specialized dental tray system to whiten teeth for many hours afterward, the KOR whitening promises amazing results.

Kept refrigerated to ensure premium quality, the special gel is activated when applied and the well-designed trays protect your gums and ensure that the gel remains in full contact with the teeth. Even when removed, the active ingredients continue to improve the look and condition of the enamel for hours afterward.

Without any lasers or special lights, the in-office tooth whitening actually removes debris and rejuvenates the enamel, while improving the color of the teeth. In less than one hour, the in-office treatment can deliver excellent results. Issues as stubborn as fluorosis and staining related to age can be treated with the in-office tooth whitening options. There are also at-home products that will provide whitening when used independently as well as a follow up to one of our in-office tooth whitening treatments.

Don’t worry about sensitivity after tooth whitening either, since the KOR system has been designed to eliminate such problems.

If you have been yearning to put the finishing touches on your healthy teeth and gums, get in touch with our office and book a visit with a top quality cosmetic dentist. You will enjoy much whiter teeth in no time, and the results will be long-lasting and appealing. Whether your staining is from medications like tetracycline or due to years of coffee drinking, you can have professional teeth whitening done by an experienced dentist at Old Milton Dental. Contact our office today to schedule your consultation! Learn more about the benefits of teeth whitening by reading our blog.